Life Insurer Pledges $25M in Low-Cost Loans for Flint Lead Pipe Removal

The mayor of Flint, Mich., says Union Labor Life Insurance Co. has committed to bring $25 million in low-cost loans to help remove lead pipes and improve water quality.

Karen Weaver announced the funding on March 6, saying in a statement the investment from the labor-owned insurance and investment company “means that we can move forward to remove more lead lines and renew Flint’s infrastructure” amid the city’s crisis with lead-tainted water.

Weaver says the loans will help her Fast Start initiative that’s designed to replace all lead service lines in the city. The first residential lead pipe removal as part of the program took place on March 4.

Water problems in Flint began after the city switched its water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River in 2014 to save money.